Item 1. Business
OVERVIEW
Background
BKF was incorporated in Delaware in 1954.
The Company's securities trade on the over the counter market under the symbol "BKFG." During the third quarter of 2006,
the Company ceased all operations, except for maintaining its status as an Exchange Act reporting company and winding down certain
investment partnerships for which BKF acts as general partner. Currently, the Company is seeking to consummate an acquisition,
merger or other business combination with an operating entity to enhance BKF's revenues and increase shareholder value.
The Company operates through its wholly-owned
subsidiaries, BKF Investment Group, Inc., formerly known as BKF Management Co., Inc. ("BIG") and BKF Asset Holdings,
Inc. (“BKF Holdings”) all of which are collectively referred to herein as the "Company" or "BKF."
The consolidated financial statements of BKF, BIG and BIG's two wholly owned subsidiaries BKF Advisors, Inc. (“BKF Advisors”)
and BKF Asset Management, Inc., ("BAM") and BAM's two wholly-owned subsidiaries, BKF GP, Inc. (“BKF GP”)
and LEVCO Securities, Inc. ("LEVCO Securities"). On November 27, 2012 LEVCO Securities was dissolved. There were no affiliated
partnerships in BKF's December 31, 2013 consolidated financial statements.
Historically the Company operated in the
investment advisory and asset management business entirely through BAM, which was a registered investment adviser with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). BAM specialized in managing equity portfolios for institutional investors through its
long-only equity and alternative investment strategies. BAM withdrew its registration as a registered investment advisor on December
19, 2006 and ceased operating in the investment advisory and asset management business. LEVCO Securities, a subsidiary of BAM,
was a broker dealer registered with the SEC and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (now known as
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). LEVCO Securities withdrew its registration as a broker-dealer on November 30, 2006
and ceased operating as a broker dealer. BKF GP, Inc., the other subsidiary of BAM, acts as the managing general partner of several
affiliated investment partnerships which have been in the process of being liquidated and dissolved since 2006.
Since January 1, 2007, the Company has had
no operating business and no assets under management. The Company's principal assets consist of a significant cash position, investments
in securities, sizable net operating tax losses to potentially carry forward, and its status as a publicly traded Exchange Act
reporting company. BKF's current revenue stream will not be sufficient to cover BKF's ongoing expenses, however the Company has
enough cash to continue in operation beyond the upcoming year.
On August 27, 2008, the Company entered
into an agreement with Catalyst Fund, L.P. a hedge fund which owned approximately 47.5% of the Company's outstanding common stock,
Steven N. Bronson, who was the fund manager for the Catalyst Fund, L.P., and each of the Company's current directors and officers
to effect a change of control of the Company (the "Change of Control Agreement"). A copy of the Change of Control Agreement
was attached as an Exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 2, 2008. Pursuant to the Change of
Control Agreement all existing officers and directors resigned and new directors and management was appointed. Specifically, effective
September 19, 2008, Harvey Bazaar, Marvin Olshan, Ronald LaBow and J. Clark Gray each resigned as directors and/or officers of
the Company, pursuant to the Change of Control Agreement. Simultaneously therewith, the following persons were appointed to the
Board of Directors of the Company: Steven N. Bronson, John Brunjes and Leonard Hagan and Steven N. Bronson was appointed President
of the Company. In connection with the change of control the Company filed and mailed out to all shareholders of record an Information
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 14f-1 thereunder, which is incorporated herein
by reference.
Plan of Operations
On August 2, 2012, the Company issued a
press release disclosing that the Company plans to create an asset management platform with investment vehicles that focus on areas
of portfolio management that typically receive less attention from investors but also present unique investment opportunities.
The Company is also engaged in seeking to arrange an acquisition, with an operating business with revenues, at least three years
of operating history and unique value opportunities. The Press Release is attached as an exhibit to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K, dated August 3, 2012.
In September 2012, the Company changed the
name of its subsidiary BKF Management Co., Inc. to BKF Investment Group, Inc. and formed a wholly owned subsidiary, BKF Advisors,
Inc. (“BKF Advisors”). BKF Advisors has registered as an investment advisor with the State of Florida and the State
of California. The Company expects that BKF Advisors will act as the investment advisor to the BKF Income
Fund, L.P., a newly formed Delaware limited partnership that plans to engage as an investment fund (the “Partnership”).
BAM is the general partner of the Partnership.
The Company expects to seed the Partnership which expects to
focus on small-cap and micro-cap companies with a value based approach to investing. Thereafter, the Company intends to grow its
asset management business by acquiring or seeding other alternative investment funds with unique investment strategies and/or emerging
portfolio managers. The Company’s goal is to grow revenues and income over time and achieve valuation multiples in line with
other publicly-traded comparable companies. The Company expects to create value for its shareholders by rebuilding its asset management
operations, and expects to earn fee income for assets under management, performance fees upon successfully liquidating investments
and from its proprietary capital investments in the investment funds for which BKF acts as the general partner. Moreover, the Company
has substantial net operating loss carry-forwards that it may be able to use to offset future profits and thereby minimize tax
liabilities.
The Company is also seeking to arrange for
a merger, acquisition, business combination or other arrangement by and between the Company and a viable operating entity. The
Company shall endeavor to utilize some or all of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards in connection with a business combination
transaction; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to utilize any of its net operating loss carryforwards.
The Company has not identified a viable operating entity for a merger, acquisition, business combination or other arrangement,
and there can be no assurance that the Company will ever successfully arrange for a merger, acquisition, business combination or
other arrangement by and between the Company and a viable operating entity.
The Company anticipates that the selection
of a business opportunity will be a complex process and will involve a number of risks, because potentially available business
opportunities may occur in many different industries and may be in various stages of development. Due in part to depressed economic
conditions in a number of geographic areas and shortages of available capital, management believes that there are numerous firms
seeking either the additional capital which the Company has or the benefits of a publicly traded corporation, or both. The perceived
benefits of a publicly traded corporation may include facilitating or improving the terms upon which additional equity financing
may be sought, providing liquidity for principal shareholders, creating a means for providing incentive stock options or similar
benefits to key employees, providing liquidity for all shareholders and other factors.
In some cases, management of the Company
will have the authority to effect acquisitions without submitting the proposal to the shareholders for their consideration. In
some instances, however, the proposed participation in a business opportunity may be submitted to the shareholders for their consideration,
either voluntarily by the Board of Directors to seek the shareholders' advice and consent, or because of a requirement of State
law to do so.
In seeking to arrange a merger, acquisition,
business combination or other arrangement by and between the Company and a viable operating entity, the Company's objective will
be to obtain long-term capital appreciation for the Company's shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to complete any merger, acquisition, business combination or other arrangement by and between the Company and a viable operating
entity.
The Company may need additional funds in
order to effectuate a merger, acquisition or other arrangement by and between the Company and a viable operating entity, although
there is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain such additional funds, if needed. Even if the Company is able to
obtain additional funds there is no assurance that the Company will be able to effectuate a merger, acquisition or other arrangement
by and between the Company and a viable operating entity.
Services
During the years ended December 31, 2013
and December 31, 2012, the Company did not provide any investment advisory or asset management services nor did the Company act
as a broker dealer.
The Company, through BKF GP, continues to
act as the managing general partner of several private investment partnerships, established prior to 2005, which are in the process
of being liquidated and dissolved.
Employees
As of March 25, 2014, BKF has one employee,
Steven N. Bronson, who serves as BKF's Chairman, CEO and President.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Potential investors should carefully
consider the risks described below before making an investment decision concerning the common stock of the Company. The risks and
uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. In the course of conducting our business operations, we are exposed
to a variety of risks that are inherent to or otherwise impact the alternative asset management business. Any of the risk factors
we describe below have affected or could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and
liquidity. The market price of our stock price could decline, possibly significantly or permanently, if one or more of these risks
and uncertainties occur. Certain statements in “Risk Factors” are forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking
Statements.”
Risks Related to Our Asset Management Business
BKF Advisors does not have a track record.
BKF Advisors is a new investment advisor
without any track record. Accordingly, we may not be able to raise a sufficient amount of money for the Fund. If we are unable
to raise sufficient amount of money for the Fund we may not be able to achieve the Fund’s objectives. The fact that we are
a new Fund, may limit it us to the types of investors that will invest in the Fund.
Competitive pressures in the asset management business
could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The asset management business is intensely
competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, the quality of service and level
of desired information provided to fund investors, brand recognition and business reputation. We compete for fund investors, highly
qualified talent, including investment professionals, and for investment opportunities with a number of hedge funds, private equity
firms, specialized funds, traditional asset managers, commercial banks, investment banks and other financial institutions. A number
of factors create competitive risks for us:
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A number of our competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources and more personnel than we do.
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Several of our competitors have raised and continue to raise significant amounts of capital, and many of them have or may pursue investment objectives that are similar to ours, which would create additional competition for investment opportunities and may reduce the size and duration of pricing inefficiencies that many alternative investment strategies seek to exploit.
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Some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and to bid more aggressively than us for investments that we may want to make.
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Some of our competitors may be subject to less extensive regulation and thus may be better positioned to pursue certain investment objectives and/or be subject to lower expenses related to compliance and regulatory investigations than us.
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We may lose fund investors in the future
if we do not match or provide more attractive management fees, incentive income arrangements, structures and terms than those offered
by competitors. However, we may experience decreased revenues if we match or provide more attractive management fees, incentive
income arrangements, structures and terms offered by competitors. In addition, changes in the global capital markets could diminish
the attractiveness of our funds relative to investments in other investment products. This competitive pressure could materially
adversely affect our ability to make successful investments and limit our ability to raise future successful funds, either of which
would materially adversely impact our business, revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
If our investment performance, including
the level and consistency of returns or other performance criteria, does not meet the expectations of our fund investors, it will
be difficult for our funds to retain or raise capital and for us to grow our business. Additionally, even if our fund performance
is strong, it is possible that we will not be able to attract additional capital. Further, the allocation of increasing amounts
of capital to alternative investment strategies over the long term by institutional and individual investors may lead to a reduction
in profitable investment opportunities, including by driving prices for investments higher and increasing the difficulty of achieving
consistent, positive, absolute returns. Competition for fund investors is based on a variety of factors, including:
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Investment performance.
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Investor liquidity and willingness to invest.
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Investor perception of investment managers’ ability, drive, focus and alignment of interest with them.
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Investor perception of robustness of business infrastructure and financial controls.
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Transparency with regard to portfolio composition.
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Investment and risk management processes.
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Quality of service provided to and duration of relationship with investors.
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Business reputation, including the reputation of a firm’s investment professionals.
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Level of fees and incentive income charged for services.
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If we are not able to compete successfully
based on these and other factors, our assets under management, earnings and revenues may be significantly reduced and our business
may be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, if we are forced to compete with other alternative asset managers on the basis
of fees, we may not be able to maintain our current management fee and incentive income structures, which drive our revenues and
earnings. We have historically competed for fund investors primarily on the investment performance of our funds and our reputation,
and not on the level of our fees or incentive income relative to those of our competitors. However, as the alternative asset management
sector matures and addresses current market and competitive conditions, there is a risk that management fee and incentive income
rates will decline, without regard to the historical performance of a manager. Management fee or incentive income rate reductions
on existing or future funds, particularly without corresponding increases in assets under management or decreases in our operating
costs, could materially adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Even if we are able to compete successfully
based on the factors noted above, it is possible we could lose assets under management to our competitors. During the financial
crisis, for example, many investors in our funds were also investors in funds managed by other alternative asset managers that
restricted or suspended redemptions for a period of time. During that period of time, investors redeemed assets from our funds
due, we believe, to their inability to obtain liquidity from other sources. It is possible that similar circumstances could cause
us to experience unusually high redemptions or a decrease in inflows, even if our investment performance and other business attributes
are otherwise competitive or superior.
Investors in our fund have the right to redeem their investments
in our funds on a regular basis and could redeem a significant amount of assets under management during any given quarterly period,
which would result in significantly decreased revenues.
Subject to any specific redemption provisions
applicable to a fund, investors in our multi-strategy hedge funds may generally redeem their investments in our funds on an annual
or quarterly basis following the expiration of a specified period of time (typically between one and three years), although certain
investors generally may redeem capital during such specified period upon the payment of a redemption fee and upon giving proper
notice. In a declining market, the pace of redemptions and consequent reduction in our assets under management potentially could
accelerate. Furthermore, investors in our funds may also invest in funds managed by other alternative asset managers that have
restricted or suspended redemptions or may in the future do so. Such investors may redeem capital from our funds, even if our performance
is superior to such other alternative asset managers’ performance if they are restricted or prevented from redeeming capital
from those other managers.
Our business and financial condition may be materially
adversely impacted by the highly variable nature of our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
Our revenues are influenced by the combination
of the amount of assets under management and the investment performance of our funds. Asset flows, whether inflows or outflows,
can be highly variable from month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter. Furthermore, our funds’ investment performance, which
affects the amount of assets under management and the amount of incentive income we may earn in a given year, can be volatile due
to, among other things, general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows
are all highly variable.
As a result of quarterly fluctuations in,
and the related unpredictability of, our revenues and profits, the price of our common stock can be significantly volatile.
Extensive regulation of the asset management business
affects our activities and creates the potential for significant liabilities and penalties. Our reputation, business and operations
could be materially affected by regulatory issues.
Our business is subject to extensive and
complex regulation, including periodic examinations and regulatory investigations, by governmental and self-regulatory organizations
in the jurisdictions in which we operate and trade around the world. As an investment adviser registered under the laws of the
State of Florida and the State of California and a company subject to the registration and reporting provisions of the Exchange
Act, we are subject to regulation and oversight by the SEC.
The regulatory bodies with jurisdiction
over us have the authority to grant, and in specific circumstances to cancel, permissions to carry on our business and to conduct
investigations and administrative proceedings. Such investigations and administrative proceedings can result in fines, suspensions
of personnel or other sanctions, including censure, the issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of an
investment adviser from registration or memberships. For example, a failure to comply with the obligations imposed by the Exchange
Act or Advisers Act, including recordkeeping, advertising and operating requirements, disclosure obligations and prohibitions on
fraudulent activities, or a failure to maintain our funds’ exemption from compliance with the 1940 Act could result in investigations,
sanctions and reputational damage. Even if an investigation or proceeding did not result in a sanction or the sanction imposed
against us or our personnel by a regulator were small in monetary amount, the adverse publicity relating to the investigation,
proceeding or imposition of these sanctions could harm our reputation and cause us to lose existing investors or to fail to gain
new investors. Furthermore, the legal, technology and other costs associated with regulatory investigations could increase to such
a level that they could have a material impact on our results.
Increased regulatory focus could result in additional
burdens on our business.
The financial industry is becoming more
highly regulated. Legislation has been introduced in recent years by both U.S. and foreign governments relating to financial markets
and institutions, including asset management firms, which would result in increased oversight and taxation. There has been, and
may continue to be, a related increase in regulatory investigations of the trading and other investment activities of alternative
investment funds, including our funds. Such investigations may impose additional expenses on us, may require the attention of senior
management and may result in fines if any of our funds are deemed to have violated any regulations.
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act imposes significant
new regulations on the U.S. financial services industry, including aspects of our business and the markets in which we operate.
The Dodd-Frank Act imposes a wide array of regulations covering, among other things: (i) oversight and regulation of systemic
market risk (including the power to liquidate certain financial institutions); (ii) the ability of the Federal Reserve to
regulate certain non-bank financial institutions and to prohibit insured depositary institutions and their affiliates from conducting
proprietary trading and investing in private equity funds and hedge funds; (iii) new registration, recordkeeping and reporting
requirements for private fund investment advisers; (iv) minimum equity retention requirements for issues of asset-backed securities;
(v) the establishment of a new bureau of consumer financial protection; and (vi) new requirements and higher liability
standards for credit rating agencies.
The Dodd-Frank Act provides that non-bank
financial companies (including asset management firms and hedge funds) may be evaluated for designation as systemically significant
financial institutions subjected to enhanced supervisory standards relating to, for example, risk-based capital, leverage, risk
management, credit exposure and concentration limits, and gives the FDIC authority to act as receiver of bank holding companies,
financial companies and their subsidiaries in specific situations under the Orderly Liquidation Authority. If we or any of our
funds were to be designated as a systemically significant financial institution we would be subject to increased costs of doing
business by virtue of fees and assessments associated with such designation as well as by virtue of increased regulatory compliance
costs, all of which would be likely to adversely affect our competitive position.
The Dodd-Frank Act also requires increased
disclosure of executive compensation and provides shareholders with the right to vote on executive compensation. In addition, the
Dodd-Frank Act empowers federal regulators to prescribe regulations or guidelines to prohibit any incentive-based payment arrangements
that the regulators determine encourage covered financial institutions to take inappropriate risks by providing officers, employees,
directors or principal shareholders with excessive compensation or that could lead to a material financial loss by such financial
institutions. Until all of the relevant regulations and guidelines have been established, we cannot predict what effect, if any,
these developments may have on our business or the markets in which we operate.
Furthermore, the Dodd-Frank Act required
the SEC and the CFTC to implement more expansive regulations concerning whistleblowers. The SEC and the CFTC have each adopted
rules under this requirement, establishing reward programs for persons who bring information to the SEC or the CFTC. To receive
a reward under these programs, the information must “lead to the successful enforcement” of a judicial or administrative
action brought by the SEC or CFTC that results in a monetary sanction of $1 million or more against a public company for a violation
of the securities laws or the Commodity Exchange Act, respectively. While it is too soon to observe the full effect of these rules,
they may result in increased regulatory inquiries or investigations by the SEC or the CFTC. Such inquiries or investigations could
impose significant additional expense on us, require the attention of senior management and result in negative publicity and harm
to our reputation.
These and many other key aspects of the
changes imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act will be established by various regulatory bodies and other groups over the next several years
and the Dodd-Frank Act mandates multiple agency reports and studies (which could result in additional legislative or regulatory
action). As a result of the regulatory and other action yet to be taken, including with respect to the definition of certain key
terms in the Dodd-Frank Act, we do not know what the final regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act will require and it is difficult
to predict how significantly the Dodd-Frank Act will affect us. The Dodd-Frank Act will likely increase our administrative costs
and could impose additional restrictions on our business.
We may also be adversely affected if additional
legislation or regulations are enacted, or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing rules and regulations imposed
by the SEC, other U.S. or foreign governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial
markets and their participants. Such changes could place limitations on the type of investor that can invest in alternative asset
funds or on the conditions under which such investors may invest. Further, such changes may limit the scope of investing activities
that may be undertaken by alternative asset managers as well as their funds. It is impossible to determine the extent of the impact
of any new laws, regulations or initiatives that may be proposed, or whether any of the proposals will become law. Compliance with
additional new laws or regulations could be difficult and expensive and affect the manner in which we conduct business, which could
have adverse impacts on our results of operations.
Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our funds
in many ways, including by negatively impacting their performance and reducing their ability to raise or deploy capital, which
could materially reduce our revenues and adversely affect our results of operations.
A recurrence of significant disruption and
volatility in the global financial markets and economies could impair the investment performance of our funds. Additionally, we
may not be able to raise capital for existing or new funds during, or even following, periods of market instability. Although we
seek to generate consistent, positive, absolute returns across all market cycles, our funds have been and may be materially affected
by conditions in the global financial markets and economic conditions. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly
uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, concerns related to unpredictable global market
and economic factors, regulatory uncertainty, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance
of financial markets, terrorism or political uncertainty.
A general market downturn, a specific market
dislocation or deteriorating economic conditions may cause our revenues and results of operations to decline by causing:
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A decline in assets under management, resulting in lower management fees and incentive income.
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An increase in the cost of financial instruments, executing transactions or otherwise doing business.
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Lower or negative investment returns, which may reduce assets under management and potential incentive income.
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Reduced demand for assets held by our funds, which would negatively affect our funds’ ability to realize value from such assets.
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Increased investor redemptions or greater demands for enhanced liquidity or other terms, resulting in a reduction in assets under management, lower revenues and potential increased difficulty in raising new capital.
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Furthermore, while difficult market and
economic conditions and other factors can potentially increase investment opportunities over the long term, including with respect
to the competitive landscape for the hedge fund industry, such conditions and factors also increase the risk of increased investment
losses and additional regulation, which may impair our business model and operations. Our funds may also be materially adversely
affected by difficult market conditions if our investment professionals fail to assess the adverse effect of such conditions on
our investments, resulting in a significant reduction in the value of those investments. Moreover, challenging market conditions
may prompt alternative asset managers to reduce the management fee and incentive income rates they charge in order to retain assets.
In response to competitive pressures or for any other reason, we may reduce or change the fee structures of our funds, which could
reduce the amount of fees and income that we may earn relative to assets under management.
Most of our funds utilize investment strategies
that depend on our ability to appropriately react to, or accurately assess, the occurrence of, certain events, including market
and corporate events. If we fail to do so, our funds’ investment performance could be adversely affected in a material way.
Poor performance of our funds would cause a decline in
our revenues, results of operations and cash flows and could materially adversely affect our ability to retain capital or attract
additional capital.
If our funds perform poorly, our revenues,
results of operations and cash flows decline because the value of our assets under management decreases, which in turn results
in a reduction in management fees. To the extent that our funds perform poorly and such performance is continuing at the end of
a relevant performance measurement period, we would experience a reduction in incentive income and, if such reduction was substantial,
could result in the elimination of incentive income for a given year and future years until that decrease has been surpassed by
positive performance. Poor performance of our funds would make it more difficult for us to raise new capital and may cause investors
in our funds to redeem their investments. Investors and potential investors in our funds continually assess our funds’ performance,
as well as our ability to raise capital for existing and future funds. Our ability to avoid excessive redemption levels will depend
in part on our funds’ continued satisfactory performance. Moreover, poor performance, particularly in our most significant
funds, would harm our reputation and competitive standing, which would further impair our ability to retain or attract fund capital.
These factors may cause us to reduce or change the fee structure of our funds in order to retain or continue to attract assets
under management, which could, further reduce the amounts of management fees and incentive income that we may earn relative to
assets under management.
We may determine to use leverage in investments in our
funds, which could materially adversely affect our ability to achieve positive rates of return on those investments.
We may choose to use leverage in our funds,
to the extent permitted by the fund, to increase the yield on certain of their investments, although historically they have not
borrowed substantial capital either directly or through the use of derivative instruments. The use of leverage poses a significant
degree of risk, most notably by significantly increasing the risk of loss associated with leveraged investments that decline in
value, and enhances the possibility of a significant loss in the value of the investments in our funds. Our funds may borrow money
from time to time to purchase or carry securities. The interest expense and other costs incurred in connection with such borrowing
may not be recovered by appreciation in the securities purchased or carried, and will be lost—and the timing and magnitude
of such losses may be accelerated or exacerbated—in the event of a decline in the market value of such securities. Volatility
in the credit markets increases the degree of risk associated with such borrowing. Gains realized with borrowed funds may cause
a fund’s net asset value to increase at a faster rate than would be the case without borrowings. If investment results fail
to cover the cost of borrowings, the fund’s net asset value could also decrease faster than if there had been no borrowings.
Increases in interest rates could also decrease the value of fixed-rate debt investments made by our funds. To the extent our funds
determine to significantly increase their use of leverage, any of the foregoing circumstances could have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The due diligence process that we undertake in connection
with investments by our funds may not reveal all facts that may be relevant in connection with making an investment.
Before investments are made by our funds,
particularly investments in securities that are not publicly traded, we conduct due diligence that we deem reasonable and appropriate
based on the facts and circumstances applicable to each investment. When conducting due diligence, we may be required to evaluate
important and complex business, financial, tax, accounting, environmental and legal issues. Outside consultants, legal advisors,
accountants and investment bankers may be involved in the due diligence process in varying degrees depending on the type of investment.
Nevertheless, when conducting due diligence and making an assessment regarding an investment, we rely on the resources available
to us, including information provided by the target of the investment and, in some circumstances, third-party investigations. The
due diligence that we carry out with respect to any investment opportunity may not reveal or highlight all relevant facts that
may be necessary or helpful in evaluating such investment opportunity, and such an evaluation will not necessarily result in the
investment being successful. Moreover, the level of due diligence conducted with respect to a particular investment will vary and
we may not properly assess the appropriate amount of diligence for each investment, which may result in losses.
Our funds may invest in relatively high-risk, illiquid
assets, including structured products, and may fail to realize any profits from these activities for a considerable period of time
or lose some or all of the principal investments.
Our funds may invest in securities that
are not publicly traded or that are otherwise illiquid, including complex structured products. There may be no readily available
liquidity in these securities, particularly at times of market stress or where many participants may be seeking liquidity at the
same time. In many cases, our funds may be prohibited, whether by contract, by applicable securities laws or by the lack of a liquid
market, from selling such securities for a period of time. Moreover, even if the securities are publicly traded, large holdings
of securities can often be disposed of only over a substantial length of time, exposing the investment returns to risks of downward
movement in market prices during the required holding period. Accordingly, under certain conditions, our funds may be forced to
either sell securities at lower prices than they had expected to realize or defer, potentially for a considerable period of time,
sales that they had planned to make. Investment in illiquid assets involves considerable risk and our funds may lose some or all
of the principal amount of such investments.
Our funds make investments in companies that we do not
control, exposing us to the risk of decisions made by others with whom we may not agree.
Investments by our funds will include investments
in debt or equity of companies that we do not control. Such investments may be acquired by our funds through trading activities
or through purchases of securities from the issuer. Those investments will be subject to the risk that the company in which the
investment is made may make business, financial or management decisions contrary to our expectations, with which we do not agree
or that the majority stakeholders or the management of the company may take risks or otherwise act in a manner that does not serve
our interests. In addition, we may make investments in which we share control over the investment with co-investors, which may
make it more difficult for us to implement our investment approach or exit the investment when we otherwise would. If any of the
foregoing were to occur with respect to one or more significant investments, the values of such investments by our funds could
decrease and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could suffer as a result.
Risk management activities may materially adversely affect
the return on our funds’ investments.
When managing our funds’ exposure
to market risks, we may from time to time use hedging strategies and various forms of derivative instruments, to the extent allowed,
to limit the funds’ exposure to changes in the relative values of investments that may result from market developments, including
changes in prevailing interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The success of any hedging transactions generally
will depend on our ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between price movements of the hedging instrument, the
position being hedged, the creditworthiness of the counterparty and other factors. As a result, while we may enter into a transaction
in order to reduce our exposure to market risks, the transaction may result in poorer overall investment performance than if it
had not been executed. Such transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of a hedged position increases. In
addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in connection with hedging activities and price
movements in a position being hedged may vary. For a variety of reasons, we may not seek or be successful in establishing a perfect
correlation between the instruments used in a hedging or other derivative transaction and the position being hedged. An imperfect
correlation could prevent us from achieving the intended result and could give rise to a loss. In addition, it may not be possible
to fully or perfectly limit our exposure against all changes in the value of our investment because the value of investments is
likely to fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, some of which will be beyond our control or ability to hedge.
If our risk management processes and systems are ineffective,
we may be exposed to material unanticipated losses.
We continue to refine and implement our
risk management techniques, strategies and assessment methods, such as the use of statistical and other quantitative and qualitative
tools to identify, observe, measure and analyze the risks to which our funds are exposed. These methods, even if properly implemented,
may not allow us to fully mitigate the risk exposure of our funds in all economic or market environments, or against all types
of risk, including risks that we might fail to identify or anticipate. Some of our strategies for anticipating and managing risk
in our funds are based upon our use of historical market behavior statistics, which may not be an accurate predictor of current
or future market risks. We apply statistical and other tools to these observations to measure and analyze the risks to which our
funds are exposed. Any failure in our risk management systems, whether in design or implementation, to accurately identify and
quantify such risk exposure could limit our ability to manage risks in the funds, identify appropriate investment opportunities
or realize positive, risk-adjusted returns. Because neither our quantitative nor qualitative risk management processes can anticipate
for every investment the economic and financial outcome or timing and other specifics of the outcome, we will, in the course of
our activities, incur losses.
Risks Related to the Company’s Acquisition Strategy
The Company Has Limited Resources
The Company currently does not have any
operating business. The Company has had no revenues from operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The
Company's plan of operations is to consummate an acquisition or merger or other business combination (a "Transaction")
with a viable business entity (a "Target"). There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to consummate a Transaction,
nor can there be any assurance that any Target, at the time of the Company's consummation of a Transaction of the Target, or at
any time thereafter, will derive any material revenues from its operations or operate on a profitable basis. The current assets
of the Company may not be sufficient to fund a Transaction. Based on the Company's limited resources, the Company may not be able
to effectuate its business plan and consummate a Transaction. There can be no assurance that determinations ultimately made by
the Company will permit the Company to achieve its business objectives.
The Company May Need Additional Financing in Order to
Execute Its Business Plan
The Company has limited resources. The Company
cannot ascertain with any degree of certainty the capital requirements for the execution of its business plan to consummate a Transaction.
In the event that the Company's limited financial resources prove to be insufficient to implement its business plan, the Company
may be required to seek additional financing. In addition, in the event of the consummation of a Transaction, the Company may require
additional financing to fund the operations or growth of the Target.
Additional Financing May Not Be Available to the Company
There can be no assurance that additional
financing will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be
unavailable when needed, the Company would be limited in its attempts to complete Transactions. The inability of the Company to
secure additional financing, if needed, could also have a material adverse effect on the continued existence of BKF. The Company
has no arrangements with any bank or financial institution to secure financing and there can be no assurance that any such arrangement,
if required or otherwise sought, would be available on terms deemed to be commercially acceptable and in the best interests of
the Company.
The Company May Not Be Able to Borrow Funds
While there currently are no limitations
on the Company's ability to borrow funds, the limited resources of the Company and limited operating history will make it difficult
to borrow funds. The amount and nature of any borrowings by the Company will depend on numerous considerations, including the Company's
capital requirements, the Company's perceived ability to meet debt service on any such borrowings and the then prevailing conditions
in the financial markets, as well as general economic conditions. There can be no assurance that debt financing, if required or
sought, would be available on terms deemed to be commercially acceptable by and in the best interests of the Company. The inability
of the Company to borrow funds required to effect or facilitate a Transaction may have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition and future prospects. Additionally, to the extent that debt financing ultimately proves to be available, any
borrowings may subject the Company to various risks traditionally associated with indebtedness, including the risks of interest
rate fluctuations and insufficiency of cash flow to pay principal and interest. Furthermore, a Target may have already incurred
borrowings and, therefore, the Company will be subjected to all the risks inherent thereto.
Competition for Transactions
The Company expects to encounter intense
competition from other entities having business objectives similar to those of the Company. Many of these entities, including venture
capital partnerships and corporations, blind pool companies, large industrial and financial institutions, small business investment
companies and wealthy individuals, are well-established and have extensive experience in connection with identifying and effecting
Transactions directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater financial, technical, human and other resources
than the Company and there can be no assurance that the Company will have the ability to compete successfully. The Company's financial
resources will be limited in comparison to those of many of its competitors. This inherent competitive limitation may compel the
Company to select certain less attractive acquisition prospects. There can be no assurance that such prospects will permit the
Company to achieve its stated business objectives.
The Company May Be Subject to Uncertainty in the Competitive
Environment of a Target
In the event that the Company succeeds in
effecting a Transaction, the Company will, in all likelihood, become subject to intense competition from competitors of the Target.
In particular, certain industries which experience rapid growth frequently attract an increasingly large number of competitors,
including competitors with greater financial, marketing, technical, human and other resources than the initial competitors in the
industry. The degree of competition characterizing the industry of any prospective Target cannot presently be ascertained. There
can be no assurance that, subsequent to a consummation of a Transaction, the Company will have the resources to compete effectively
in the industry of the Target, especially to the extent that the Target is in a high growth industry.
Transaction May Prevent or Limit the Company's Ability
to Use Its Net Operating Tax Loss Carryforwards
As of December 31, 2013 the Company had
a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $12.2 million. The consummation of a Transaction by the Company may limit, reduce
or void the utilization of the net operating losses. While the Company shall endeavor to complete a Transaction with a Target that
will permit the Company to utilize its net operating losses, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to utilize
its net operating losses after the consummation of a Transaction with a Target.
Taxation Considerations May Impact the Structure of a
Transaction and Post-Closing Liabilities
Federal and state tax consequences will,
in all likelihood, be major considerations for the Company in consummating a Transaction. The structure of a Transaction or the
distribution of securities to stockholders may result in taxation of the Company, the Target or stockholders. Typically, these
transactions may be structured to result in tax-free treatment to both companies, pursuant to various federal and state tax provisions.
The Company intends to structure any Transaction so as to minimize the federal and state tax consequences to both the Company and
the Target. Management cannot assure that a Transaction will meet the statutory requirements for a tax-free reorganization, or
that the parties will obtain the intended tax-free treatment upon a transfer of stock or assets. A non-qualifying reorganization
could result in the imposition of both federal and state taxes, which may have an adverse effect on both parties to the transaction.
Stockholders Risk Dilution In Connection with a Transaction
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation
authorizes the issuance of 15,000,000 shares of common stock. As of March 25, 2014, the Company had 7,471,593 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding and 7,528,407 authorized but unissued shares of common stock available for issuance. The Company has
no commitments as of this date to issue its securities, however, the Company will, in all likelihood, issue a substantial number
of additional shares in connection with or following a Transaction. To the extent that additional shares of common stock are issued,
the Company's stockholders would experience dilution of their ownership interests in the Company. Additionally, if the Company
issues a substantial number of shares of common stock in connection with or following a Transaction, a change in control of the
Company may occur which may affect, among other things, the Company's ability to utilize net operating loss carry-forwards, if
any. Furthermore, the issuance of a substantial number of shares of common stock may adversely affect prevailing market prices,
if any, for the common stock and could impair the Company's ability to raise additional capital through the sale of its equity
securities. The Company may use consultants and other third parties providing goods and services. These consultants or third parties
may be paid in cash, stock, options or other securities of the Company. The Company may in the future need to raise additional
funds by selling securities of the Company which may involve substantial additional dilution to the investors.
General Risks Affecting the Company
Bank Account Balances in Excess of FDIC Insurance
The Company had amounts in excess of $250,000
in a single bank during the year. Amounts over $250,000 are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of December
31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $5,077,000 and $6,380,000 respectively, in its JP Morgan Chase bank accounts and
approximately $817,000 in Puma money market accounts as of December 31, 2013.
Steven N. Bronson is Critical to the Future Success of
the Company
Steven N. Bronson is the Chairman and President
of the Company. The ability of the Company to successfully carry out its business plan and to consummate a Transaction will be
dependent upon the efforts of Mr. Bronson and the Company's directors. Notwithstanding the significance of Mr. Bronson, the Company
has not obtained any "key man" life insurance on his life. The loss of the services of Mr. Bronson could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's ability to successfully achieve its business objectives. If additional personnel are required,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain such necessary additional personnel.
Mr. Bronson Has Effective Control of the Company's Affairs
As of March 25, 2014, Mr. Bronson beneficially
owns and controls 4,317,854 shares of common stock of the Company, representing approximately 57.8% of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock and approximately 57.8% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company. In the election of directors, stockholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes for nominees. Accordingly, as a practical
matter, Mr. Bronson may be able to elect all of the Company's directors and otherwise direct the affairs of the Company.
There Exist Conflicts of Interest Relating to Mr. Bronson's
Commitment to the Company
Mr. Bronson is not required to commit his
full time to the affairs of the Company. Mr. Bronson will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various
business activities. Additionally, Mr. Bronson is the president, director and principal shareholder of two publicly traded companies,
4net Software, Inc. and Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. that are also engaged in seeking to consummate a merger, acquisition or other
business combination transaction. As a result, the consummation of an Acquisition may require a greater period of time than if
Mr. Bronson devoted his full time to the Company's affairs. However, Mr. Bronson will devote such time as he deems reasonably necessary
to carry out the business and affairs of the Company, including the evaluation of potential Targets and the negotiation and consummation
of Acquisitions and, as a result, the amount of time devoted to the business and affairs of the Company may vary significantly
depending upon, among other things, whether the Company has identified a Target or is engaged in active negotiation and consummation
of an Acquisition.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation
provides for the Indemnification of its officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.
It is possible that the indemnification obligations imposed under these provisions could result in a charge against the Company's
earnings and thereby affect the availability of funds for other uses by the Company.
The Company May Be Deemed an Investment Company and Subjected
to Related Restrictions
The regulatory scope of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), which was enacted principally for the purpose of regulating vehicles for pooled
investments in securities, extends generally to companies engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning,
holding or trading in securities. The 1940 Act may, however, also be deemed to be applicable to a company which does not intend
to be characterized as an investment company but which, nevertheless, engages in activities which may be deemed to be within the
definitional scope of certain provisions of the 1940 Act. We do not believe that we are an “investment company” under
the 1940 Act because the nature of our assets and the sources of our income exclude us from the definition of an investment company
under the 1940 Act. In addition, we believe our Company is not an investment company under Section 3(b)(1) of the 1940 Act
because we are primarily engaged in a non-investment company business. We intend to continue to conduct our operations so that
we will not be deemed an investment company. If we were to be deemed an investment company, the Company may be forced to divest
its investments or become subject to certain restrictions relating to the Company's activities, including restrictions on the nature
of its investments and the issuance of securities. In addition, the 1940 Act imposes certain requirements on companies deemed to
be within its regulatory scope, including registration as an investment company, adoption of a specific form of corporate structure
and compliance with certain burdensome reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, disclosure and other rules and regulations. In
the event of the characterization of the Company as an investment company, the failure by the Company to satisfy such regulatory
requirements, whether on a timely basis or at all, would, under certain circumstances, have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Investors Should Not Rely on Forward-Looking Statements
Because They Are Inherently Uncertain
This document contains certain forward looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. We use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect,"
"future," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. These
statements are only predictions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable,
we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this document. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks faced by us and described on the preceding
pages and elsewhere in this document.
We believe it is important to communicate
our expectations to our investors. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over
which we have no control. The risk factors listed above, as well as any cautionary language in this document, provide examples
of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in
our forward-looking statements. Before you invest in our common stock, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described
in these risk factors and elsewhere in this document could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial
condition and stock price.